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Colton U Playbook #2
The Play Maker
Maisie:
I’ve always been good at staying invisible.
The girl no one really notices.
The quiet one who keeps her head down and stays out of trouble.
Until Austin Rhodes crashes into my life and everything changes.
Now he needs tutoring and apparently, I’m his only shot at passing.
He’s loud, way too charming for his own good, and the kind of guy I’ve spent my whole life avoiding.
I should have no problem keeping this professional. Tutor him, help him pass, then walk away.
But Austin has a way of breaking down my walls.
And that might be fine…
If I wasn’t already caught up with someone else.
Someone I’ve never met.
Someone who knows every secret I’m too scared to say out loud.
I’m the tutor. The girl with all the answers.
But this is the one problem I can’t solve.
Austin:
Hockey is everything to me.
It’s the plan, the dream, the only thing I’ve ever really been good at.
So when I get suspended for failing anatomy, I’ll do whatever it takes to fix it.
Even if that means getting tutored by the figure skater I accidentally knocked in the head.
Maisie Wilson is sharp, guarded, and completely uninterested in my charm.
Which just makes her more fun to mess with.
She thinks she knows exactly who I am.
But what she doesn’t see is how fast she’s becoming the only thing I want—on and off the ice.
I should focus on getting through the season and staying out of her way.
But I can’t stop thinking about her.
Problem is... she’s not the only one.
Because I’m also falling for a girl I’ve never met—one who only exists behind a screen.
I might be a playmaker, but right now, I’m at a loss for which play to make next.
I’ve always been good at staying invisible.
The girl no one really notices.
The quiet one who keeps her head down and stays out of trouble.
Until Austin Rhodes crashes into my life and everything changes.
Now he needs tutoring and apparently, I’m his only shot at passing.
He’s loud, way too charming for his own good, and the kind of guy I’ve spent my whole life avoiding.
I should have no problem keeping this professional. Tutor him, help him pass, then walk away.
But Austin has a way of breaking down my walls.
And that might be fine…
If I wasn’t already caught up with someone else.
Someone I’ve never met.
Someone who knows every secret I’m too scared to say out loud.
I’m the tutor. The girl with all the answers.
But this is the one problem I can’t solve.
Austin:
Hockey is everything to me.
It’s the plan, the dream, the only thing I’ve ever really been good at.
So when I get suspended for failing anatomy, I’ll do whatever it takes to fix it.
Even if that means getting tutored by the figure skater I accidentally knocked in the head.
Maisie Wilson is sharp, guarded, and completely uninterested in my charm.
Which just makes her more fun to mess with.
She thinks she knows exactly who I am.
But what she doesn’t see is how fast she’s becoming the only thing I want—on and off the ice.
I should focus on getting through the season and staying out of her way.
But I can’t stop thinking about her.
Problem is... she’s not the only one.
Because I’m also falling for a girl I’ve never met—one who only exists behind a screen.
I might be a playmaker, but right now, I’m at a loss for which play to make next.
418 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 10, 2025
279 people are currently reading
2009 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Alves
11 books1,178 followersStephanie Alves is an avid reader and writer of smutty, contemporary romance books. She was born in England, but was raised by her loud Portuguese parents. She can speak both languages fluently, though she tends to mix both languages when speaking. She loves to write romantic comedies with happy endings, witty banter and sizzling chemistry that will make you blush. When she’s not writing, she can be found either reading, or watching rom coms with her two adorable dogs cuddled up beside her.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 392 reviews
October 3, 2025
5⭐️
“I don’t have words for the way she changed me. I just know that every cell in my body bends toward her.
I breathe for her. I skate for her. I exist for her.”
⋆꙳❅*‧ ‧*❆ ₊⋆ ⋆꙳❅*‧ ‧*❆ ₊⋆ ⋆꙳❅*‧ ‧*❆ ₊⋆ ⋆꙳❅*‧ ‧*❆ ₊⋆ ⋆꙳❅*‧ ‧*❆ ₊⋆
🏒 reformed player
⛸️ she tutors him
🏒 hockey player MMC x figure skater FMC
⛸️ plus sized FMC
🏒 jokester golden retriever MMC
⛸️ shy loner FMC
🏒 penpals
⋆꙳❅*‧ ‧*❆ ₊⋆ ⋆꙳❅*‧ ‧*❆ ₊⋆ ⋆꙳❅*‧ ‧*❆ ₊⋆ ⋆꙳❅*‧ ‧*❆ ₊⋆ ⋆꙳❅*‧ ‧*❆ ₊⋆
My favorite thing about books is that it gives you a way to escape the real world and immerse yourself in someone else’s story . If a book was able to suck you in and make you left everything you are supposed to do just so you keep reading that’s definitely a good book for me . This book was one of the books that had done this to me . I kept reading and I couldn’t put it because of how much I was enjoying ;I was smiling and kicking my feet while reading this book . It is so fluffy and cute but at the same time we saw the main characters struggle and we felt their feelings . The main characters were so relatable ; I loved the way they were written and the way their feelings were portrayed.
The FMC was so relatable. Her insecurities were so real .I loved how we kept mentioning her insecurities and how it took her time to deal with them and it was done in way that it wasn’t annoying at all because let’s be for real no one’s insecurities would disappear from the first time a person assures you . I loved seeing her get her happy ending ; she really deserved it
The MMC was so cute and funny . He was so charming and charismatic yet with all the confidence he possessed , he was dealing with his own fears . The charm was just a facade covering his own insecurity. Also the way he was such a lover boy . He was so caring and you can see how much he was obsessed with her .
I loved their relationship so much . How they have helped each other and supported each other. They always reassured each other in other words : They helped each other heal and don’t let me forget about their banter. I loooved it
I loved their friend group ( I haven’t read the 1st book) they were so funny together and supportive of each others .
To conclude I loved this book so much and obviously I would recommend it . This my first time reading a book by Stephanie and certainly it won’t be the last . If you want something fluffy that has you giggling and kicking your feet go read this immediately.
₊˚｡ ❆ 𝓟𝓻𝓮 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭 ⋆⁺₊❅.
I got the e-ARC !!!
Thank you love notes PR & author Stephanie elves !!
I’m sooo excited to read it !
“I don’t have words for the way she changed me. I just know that every cell in my body bends toward her.
I breathe for her. I skate for her. I exist for her.”
⋆꙳❅*‧ ‧*❆ ₊⋆ ⋆꙳❅*‧ ‧*❆ ₊⋆ ⋆꙳❅*‧ ‧*❆ ₊⋆ ⋆꙳❅*‧ ‧*❆ ₊⋆ ⋆꙳❅*‧ ‧*❆ ₊⋆
🏒 reformed player
⛸️ she tutors him
🏒 hockey player MMC x figure skater FMC
⛸️ plus sized FMC
🏒 jokester golden retriever MMC
⛸️ shy loner FMC
🏒 penpals
⋆꙳❅*‧ ‧*❆ ₊⋆ ⋆꙳❅*‧ ‧*❆ ₊⋆ ⋆꙳❅*‧ ‧*❆ ₊⋆ ⋆꙳❅*‧ ‧*❆ ₊⋆ ⋆꙳❅*‧ ‧*❆ ₊⋆
My favorite thing about books is that it gives you a way to escape the real world and immerse yourself in someone else’s story . If a book was able to suck you in and make you left everything you are supposed to do just so you keep reading that’s definitely a good book for me . This book was one of the books that had done this to me . I kept reading and I couldn’t put it because of how much I was enjoying ;I was smiling and kicking my feet while reading this book . It is so fluffy and cute but at the same time we saw the main characters struggle and we felt their feelings . The main characters were so relatable ; I loved the way they were written and the way their feelings were portrayed.
The FMC was so relatable. Her insecurities were so real .I loved how we kept mentioning her insecurities and how it took her time to deal with them and it was done in way that it wasn’t annoying at all because let’s be for real no one’s insecurities would disappear from the first time a person assures you . I loved seeing her get her happy ending ; she really deserved it
The MMC was so cute and funny . He was so charming and charismatic yet with all the confidence he possessed , he was dealing with his own fears . The charm was just a facade covering his own insecurity. Also the way he was such a lover boy . He was so caring and you can see how much he was obsessed with her .
I loved their relationship so much . How they have helped each other and supported each other. They always reassured each other in other words : They helped each other heal and don’t let me forget about their banter. I loooved it
I loved their friend group ( I haven’t read the 1st book) they were so funny together and supportive of each others .
To conclude I loved this book so much and obviously I would recommend it . This my first time reading a book by Stephanie and certainly it won’t be the last . If you want something fluffy that has you giggling and kicking your feet go read this immediately.
₊˚｡ ❆ 𝓟𝓻𝓮 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭 ⋆⁺₊❅.
I got the e-ARC !!!
Thank you love notes PR & author Stephanie elves !!
I’m sooo excited to read it !
October 17, 2025
#Review: *The Play Maker* - Stephanie Alves - ARC [18+]
4.9/5✨
3/5🌶️
A sports romance book? Than I'm definitely going to take my chance with it🤭. I must thank Stephanie and Love Notes Pr for this cute e-ARC.🥰
Is it possible for two people to connect in two different ways? Well, that's exactly what happened to hockey player Austin and figure skating Maisie. They first started talking through messages but never knew their names or anything about each other which could link to something from their actual lives. Later on, Austin needed a tutor after failing a test, in order to keep playing in the hockey team. Austin had Maisie as his tutor but they slowly became more than that, starting with a very cute friendship. But can a hotshot hockey player be with a curvy smart girl?
I completely adoored this sweet story! It was super cute, but also included some delicate topics such as body shaming and dislexia. I cannot express how much I liked the cute bound Austin and Maisie created, being super good friends first and slowly realizing that what they had was something more, something which made them feel so comfortable and happy when they were together, becoming a little addicted to each other. I liked that both of them were such fighters, never giving up on their dreams and working so hard for achieving their goals. Of course, something which really I adored was the way Austin became completely obsessed with Maisie and leaving his playboy days behind. I just love when the MMCs are blinded by their feelings and are trying their best to earn the girl's heart.
This cute cover was hiding such a lovely and gorgeous story, one which was inspirational, heart melting and a bit steamy. It was perfect for me and I just can't wait for the 3rd book of this 'Colton U Playbook' series 😍.
✨Tropes
#BadBoyGoodGirl
#ReformedPlayboy
#SlowBurn
#PlusSizeHeroine
#PenPals
#SheTutorsHim
#VirginHeroine
#SportsRomance
#HockeyPlayer
#FigureSkater
4.9/5✨
3/5🌶️
A sports romance book? Than I'm definitely going to take my chance with it🤭. I must thank Stephanie and Love Notes Pr for this cute e-ARC.🥰
Is it possible for two people to connect in two different ways? Well, that's exactly what happened to hockey player Austin and figure skating Maisie. They first started talking through messages but never knew their names or anything about each other which could link to something from their actual lives. Later on, Austin needed a tutor after failing a test, in order to keep playing in the hockey team. Austin had Maisie as his tutor but they slowly became more than that, starting with a very cute friendship. But can a hotshot hockey player be with a curvy smart girl?
I completely adoored this sweet story! It was super cute, but also included some delicate topics such as body shaming and dislexia. I cannot express how much I liked the cute bound Austin and Maisie created, being super good friends first and slowly realizing that what they had was something more, something which made them feel so comfortable and happy when they were together, becoming a little addicted to each other. I liked that both of them were such fighters, never giving up on their dreams and working so hard for achieving their goals. Of course, something which really I adored was the way Austin became completely obsessed with Maisie and leaving his playboy days behind. I just love when the MMCs are blinded by their feelings and are trying their best to earn the girl's heart.
This cute cover was hiding such a lovely and gorgeous story, one which was inspirational, heart melting and a bit steamy. It was perfect for me and I just can't wait for the 3rd book of this 'Colton U Playbook' series 😍.
✨Tropes
#BadBoyGoodGirl
#ReformedPlayboy
#SlowBurn
#PlusSizeHeroine
#PenPals
#SheTutorsHim
#VirginHeroine
#SportsRomance
#HockeyPlayer
#FigureSkater
October 10, 2025
I was lucky to receive this as an ARC all views and opinions are my own. Thank you @lovenotes.pr @stephanie.alves_author
I literally picked this up this afternoon and couldn’t put it down. I was hooked from the start, I love a hockey romance 🏒 and this ticked all the boxes.
I absolutely adored Maisie I loved her love of romcoms and the fact she’s loved all the films I grew up watching, also her love of Oreo’s. I loved that she was a hopeless romantic dreaming of the same things the rest of do, whilst also showing the same insecurities.
Austin was beyond cute, I loved how they showed a different side of him and highlighted the difficulties people with dyslexia have and how Maisie built up his confidence and helped him with his struggles.
I loved the chemistry between them both and how they both supported each other’s goals I loved that they also shared a love a rom coms.
I also loved the rest of the team and the friendship and banter they all had, this was such a cute feel good book 🩷
October 19, 2025
3.3 stars. Enjoyable slow burn hockey romance, with two likeable MCs with an unacknowledged bond and hidden depths: one putting up a facade of a carefree, cocky jokester and player, the other, as an introverted, socially isolated ‘nobody’ despite her smarts and talent.
I loved how Austin was able to ride the line between cheeky and arrogant just right (“so you’re obsessed with me?”).
The FMC is a curvy girl and figure-skater, which is rare to see on paper as in ‘real life’, and i appreciated the slight body-positive rep., though it remained subtle. It resonated as I let a lack of acceptance of larger bodies make me relinquish my love of dance and certain other sports for many years, and wish I’d persevered in spite of it all, as the FMC clearly had.
There were a few minor plot points that seemed to be jumped over or assumed, such as the girl bestie relationship forming (and group chat), but they weren’t too disruptive. I wished there had been a ‘wear my jersey’ type moment and found the whole ‘oh are we bf/gf now?’ situation a bit awkward (it could have been better, as it was a pretty big step and change for the MCs). Similarly, I had expected a bit more of a grovel after a particular misstep was revealed. I think I needed a bit more ‘oomph’ as the story seemed to cruise along for the most part.
I now plan to go back and read the first book in this series, as I liked the supporting cast of characters; I’m also looking forward to what has been foreshadowed as the likely next two books, especially whenever Aurora becomes an FMC.
I loved how Austin was able to ride the line between cheeky and arrogant just right (“so you’re obsessed with me?”).
The FMC is a curvy girl and figure-skater, which is rare to see on paper as in ‘real life’, and i appreciated the slight body-positive rep., though it remained subtle. It resonated as I let a lack of acceptance of larger bodies make me relinquish my love of dance and certain other sports for many years, and wish I’d persevered in spite of it all, as the FMC clearly had.
There were a few minor plot points that seemed to be jumped over or assumed, such as the girl bestie relationship forming (and group chat), but they weren’t too disruptive. I wished there had been a ‘wear my jersey’ type moment and found the whole ‘oh are we bf/gf now?’ situation a bit awkward (it could have been better, as it was a pretty big step and change for the MCs). Similarly, I had expected a bit more of a grovel after a particular misstep was revealed. I think I needed a bit more ‘oomph’ as the story seemed to cruise along for the most part.
I now plan to go back and read the first book in this series, as I liked the supporting cast of characters; I’m also looking forward to what has been foreshadowed as the likely next two books, especially whenever Aurora becomes an FMC.
October 15, 2025
Thank you Stephanie Alves and LovenotesPR for this ARC! 😍
"I want you in ways I’ve never wanted anyone. And it’s not because you’re beautiful, though you are insanely so. It’s because you’re you. It’s your laugh. Your smartass comments. Your brain. Your heart. It’s the way you talk to me. The way you see me, even when I’m being a complete idiot."
I can never get enough of hockey romances! So when this ARC landed in my inbox, I was immediately excited. This book has everything you could want in a hockey romance: the passion, the intensity, and of course, the love story! 😍
As the story went on, I completely fell for Maisie and Austin. Their playful banter, the way their love slowly grew, and how Austin helped Maisie regain her confidence and made het love herself made this such a heartwarming read. This book made me feel all the feels. 💝
I highly recommend this one to anyone who loves hockey romances as much as I do!
Tropes
💖 Hockey player x figure skater
💝 Pen pals
💖 Tutor
💝 Slow burn
"I want you in ways I’ve never wanted anyone. And it’s not because you’re beautiful, though you are insanely so. It’s because you’re you. It’s your laugh. Your smartass comments. Your brain. Your heart. It’s the way you talk to me. The way you see me, even when I’m being a complete idiot."
I can never get enough of hockey romances! So when this ARC landed in my inbox, I was immediately excited. This book has everything you could want in a hockey romance: the passion, the intensity, and of course, the love story! 😍
As the story went on, I completely fell for Maisie and Austin. Their playful banter, the way their love slowly grew, and how Austin helped Maisie regain her confidence and made het love herself made this such a heartwarming read. This book made me feel all the feels. 💝
I highly recommend this one to anyone who loves hockey romances as much as I do!
Tropes
💖 Hockey player x figure skater
💝 Pen pals
💖 Tutor
💝 Slow burn
October 11, 2025
Leer este libro fue MAGNIFICO, realmente sentí una conexión con los personajes desde el minuto uno, su paciencia, y amistad me hizo emocionarme cada vez un poco más con cada uno de los capítulos.
Austin y Maisie es todo lo que está bien, una amistad que comienza poco a poco, generando una confianza entre ellos que se termina transformando en algo más.
Si quieren un friends to lovers, entre un jugador de hockey y una patinadora ESTE ES SU LIBRO.
Un libro donde se menciona el miedo a decepcionar, a nuestra propia mente y decisiones.
Austin y Maisie es todo lo que está bien, una amistad que comienza poco a poco, generando una confianza entre ellos que se termina transformando en algo más.
Si quieren un friends to lovers, entre un jugador de hockey y una patinadora ESTE ES SU LIBRO.
Un libro donde se menciona el miedo a decepcionar, a nuestra propia mente y decisiones.
September 29, 2025
I devoured this book in one sitting - it was that addictive!
This book had everything I love: tension-filled banter, swoons chemistry, and characters you can’t help but root for.
The dynamic between Austin and Maisie kept me hooked from the beginning, plus the mix of sports, heart made it impossible to put down.
This book absolutely NEEDS to be on your TBR! 📚📚📚📚
I am so lucky to have been selected as an ARC for this book.
This book had everything I love: tension-filled banter, swoons chemistry, and characters you can’t help but root for.
The dynamic between Austin and Maisie kept me hooked from the beginning, plus the mix of sports, heart made it impossible to put down.
This book absolutely NEEDS to be on your TBR! 📚📚📚📚
I am so lucky to have been selected as an ARC for this book.
September 29, 2025
I would like to thank Stephanie Alves and LoveNotes PR for choosing me to receive an ARC of The Play Maker. This book exceeded all of my expectations and is definitely one I will continue to think about ALL the time.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sports romance, specifically hockey romance, has to be one of my favourite genres/subgenres, like ever - and The Play Maker takes one of the top spots 🥰
This is book #2 in the Colton U Playbook series and while this can be read as a standalone, and I haven’t yet read book #1, The Rule Breaker, it has quickly been downloaded to my Kindle!
This book was so incredibly easy to read. It kept me hooked and falling in love with the FMC and MMC with every page turned. Everything about this book was so incredibly relatable. It felt as if part of my personal story was being told and a lot of the situations and experiences truly resonated with me.
Maisie and Austin’s story was beautiful. Two seemingly unlikely souls who connected, twice, but unknowingly so. Sounds weird right? But that’s exactly what happened. They knew each other before they actually met.
They knew the deepest, darkest depths of one another but could have never predicted how their story played out. They never thought their relationship would make it out of the chat until one day, it did. And everything changed.
We flip between Maisie and Austin’s pov throughout the book and it flowed together seamlessly. Picking up right where the other left off. Perfection 🤌🏻
The character building, the scene setting and the detail put into every aspect of this book was immaculate ✨
The entire time I was smiling like a goofball, literally grinning from ear to ear, kicking my feet with pure excitement and anticipation and even shed a few tears.
If you’re looking for a sweet, realistic and captivating hockey romance, The Play Maker is the book for you! 🫶🏻
🏑 | Hockey player x figure skater
🐰 | Reformed Playboy
🩷 | Plus size FMC
✍🏻 | Pen Pal
📚 | Tutor
🔥 | Slow burn
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sports romance, specifically hockey romance, has to be one of my favourite genres/subgenres, like ever - and The Play Maker takes one of the top spots 🥰
This is book #2 in the Colton U Playbook series and while this can be read as a standalone, and I haven’t yet read book #1, The Rule Breaker, it has quickly been downloaded to my Kindle!
This book was so incredibly easy to read. It kept me hooked and falling in love with the FMC and MMC with every page turned. Everything about this book was so incredibly relatable. It felt as if part of my personal story was being told and a lot of the situations and experiences truly resonated with me.
Maisie and Austin’s story was beautiful. Two seemingly unlikely souls who connected, twice, but unknowingly so. Sounds weird right? But that’s exactly what happened. They knew each other before they actually met.
They knew the deepest, darkest depths of one another but could have never predicted how their story played out. They never thought their relationship would make it out of the chat until one day, it did. And everything changed.
We flip between Maisie and Austin’s pov throughout the book and it flowed together seamlessly. Picking up right where the other left off. Perfection 🤌🏻
The character building, the scene setting and the detail put into every aspect of this book was immaculate ✨
The entire time I was smiling like a goofball, literally grinning from ear to ear, kicking my feet with pure excitement and anticipation and even shed a few tears.
If you’re looking for a sweet, realistic and captivating hockey romance, The Play Maker is the book for you! 🫶🏻
🏑 | Hockey player x figure skater
🐰 | Reformed Playboy
🩷 | Plus size FMC
✍🏻 | Pen Pal
📚 | Tutor
🔥 | Slow burn
October 10, 2025
﹙ four stars ﹚
— overall thoughts
oh this one is absolutely for the hockey romances lovers! but it is also one for anyone who is craving a sweet slow burn and tender characters. the charm and my enjoyment of the play maker rests on maisie and austin—their cute, flirty banter; the kindness they show each other even when they're practically strangers; the way we get to see specific instances of them opening up and confessing secrets to each other that no one else knows.
— putting the romance in sports romance
this book was such a great blend of the actual sport and romance! my favorite type of hockey romances are the ones that use hockey as a way to dive deeper into the character’s personality and relationships. and the play maker does an incredible job of having hockey be such an important part of austin’s life, but instead of getting in the nitty gritty details of the sport itself, uses his feelings toward hockey to spur on his relationship with maisie.
and as for the romance, this is truly one of the gentlest loves i have read this year. the way austin is with maisie isn't just typical golden retriever mmc behavior, isn't just kind and understanding and sweet—it is near reverent, which is nothing less than she deserves! i loved austin's pov because he is just constantly in awe of this girl (as he should be), and i could not stop smiling every time he was stunned into silence over her blush and her freckles and her big, beautiful, gorgeous brain.
the thing that i really appreciated about the romance here is we see the little tidbits and confessions that they share with each other through their pen pal relationship. these are sprinkled throughout the book and then referenced by them at a later point, and it just makes this whole relationship feel so real. they truly listen to each other, and then do something about it, which makes them click so perfectly, and i can really buy that they care about each other deeply.
— maisie was everything to me!!!!!
while austin was such a good character as a shameless flirt with an unexpected depth to him, it was maisie who stole the whole show (book?). i connected so deeply with her! it was like stephanie alves plucked every worry and insecurity and hesitation from my head—about not being interesting enough to capture anyone's attention, about feeling lonely and not quite knowing how to change that, about being constantly judged and found lacking—and put it on the page.
there was one small interaction where maisie is in her dorm room and two girls who had been out partying accidentally bump into her door. she opens it to check on them, and their interaction just emphasizes the gulf between where she is in her life and where she wants to be. in that moment, i could see my past self in her so much; i could so painfully know exactly how she was feeling—because everyone has had that experience before, of being outside looking in and not knowing what they can do to be there, too.
i loved her humor and how smart and organized she was and her staunch resistance to austin's flirting even as he slowly wore her down. she's the type of prickly and stubborn that i like, because she's not mean about it. and underneath her guarded facade, we constantly see her hope. i adored how she was truly just a romantic at heart who is terrified of not being enough for the love she wants. and of course, that only made it even sweeter that austin was already halfway in love with her since they met.
— final notes
i must talk about the spice, because when we get there it is so good, made all the better after the slow burn of it all. but also more than that, i think stephanie nails the virgin fmc trope (pun not? intended). the playboy x virgin pairing doesn't always work for me, but in this case, it really just fits who they are, and the way austin is so gentle with her, so careful and so thoughtful was everything.
the last thirty percent of the book was just me absolutely languishing in their love and how cute they were together, which is exactly what i need from a swoon-worthy romance. the play maker is definitely one of the best hockey romances i've read this year (and i have read a lot!), and is such a huge recommendation to all my sports romances lovers, but also a huge recommendation for anyone needing a feel-good read.
— thank you so much to the author and love notes pr for the e-arc to review!
— overall thoughts
oh this one is absolutely for the hockey romances lovers! but it is also one for anyone who is craving a sweet slow burn and tender characters. the charm and my enjoyment of the play maker rests on maisie and austin—their cute, flirty banter; the kindness they show each other even when they're practically strangers; the way we get to see specific instances of them opening up and confessing secrets to each other that no one else knows.
— putting the romance in sports romance
this book was such a great blend of the actual sport and romance! my favorite type of hockey romances are the ones that use hockey as a way to dive deeper into the character’s personality and relationships. and the play maker does an incredible job of having hockey be such an important part of austin’s life, but instead of getting in the nitty gritty details of the sport itself, uses his feelings toward hockey to spur on his relationship with maisie.
and as for the romance, this is truly one of the gentlest loves i have read this year. the way austin is with maisie isn't just typical golden retriever mmc behavior, isn't just kind and understanding and sweet—it is near reverent, which is nothing less than she deserves! i loved austin's pov because he is just constantly in awe of this girl (as he should be), and i could not stop smiling every time he was stunned into silence over her blush and her freckles and her big, beautiful, gorgeous brain.
the thing that i really appreciated about the romance here is we see the little tidbits and confessions that they share with each other through their pen pal relationship. these are sprinkled throughout the book and then referenced by them at a later point, and it just makes this whole relationship feel so real. they truly listen to each other, and then do something about it, which makes them click so perfectly, and i can really buy that they care about each other deeply.
— maisie was everything to me!!!!!
while austin was such a good character as a shameless flirt with an unexpected depth to him, it was maisie who stole the whole show (book?). i connected so deeply with her! it was like stephanie alves plucked every worry and insecurity and hesitation from my head—about not being interesting enough to capture anyone's attention, about feeling lonely and not quite knowing how to change that, about being constantly judged and found lacking—and put it on the page.
there was one small interaction where maisie is in her dorm room and two girls who had been out partying accidentally bump into her door. she opens it to check on them, and their interaction just emphasizes the gulf between where she is in her life and where she wants to be. in that moment, i could see my past self in her so much; i could so painfully know exactly how she was feeling—because everyone has had that experience before, of being outside looking in and not knowing what they can do to be there, too.
i loved her humor and how smart and organized she was and her staunch resistance to austin's flirting even as he slowly wore her down. she's the type of prickly and stubborn that i like, because she's not mean about it. and underneath her guarded facade, we constantly see her hope. i adored how she was truly just a romantic at heart who is terrified of not being enough for the love she wants. and of course, that only made it even sweeter that austin was already halfway in love with her since they met.
— final notes
i must talk about the spice, because when we get there it is so good, made all the better after the slow burn of it all. but also more than that, i think stephanie nails the virgin fmc trope (pun not? intended). the playboy x virgin pairing doesn't always work for me, but in this case, it really just fits who they are, and the way austin is so gentle with her, so careful and so thoughtful was everything.
the last thirty percent of the book was just me absolutely languishing in their love and how cute they were together, which is exactly what i need from a swoon-worthy romance. the play maker is definitely one of the best hockey romances i've read this year (and i have read a lot!), and is such a huge recommendation to all my sports romances lovers, but also a huge recommendation for anyone needing a feel-good read.
— thank you so much to the author and love notes pr for the e-arc to review!
October 12, 2025
Might not be 5stars for everyone but this one just hit different for me
October 16, 2025
OMG, I LOVED IT!!
Tenía las expectativas altísimas con este libro, y las superó completamente, amo!
I truly enjoyed this book, Maisie is so me in many ways, and I really loved how well the author portrayed both characters feelings toward everything, how they felt with their own lives, their inner thoughts, everything, I felt really connected with both characters, they were so relatable.
I recommend you this book, for real, go right now and read it, it's amazing and the most precious thing you'll ever read🩷💞✨
Thank you so much Stephanie for sending me this ARC, I loved it🫶🏻
Tenía las expectativas altísimas con este libro, y las superó completamente, amo!
I truly enjoyed this book, Maisie is so me in many ways, and I really loved how well the author portrayed both characters feelings toward everything, how they felt with their own lives, their inner thoughts, everything, I felt really connected with both characters, they were so relatable.
I recommend you this book, for real, go right now and read it, it's amazing and the most precious thing you'll ever read🩷💞✨
Thank you so much Stephanie for sending me this ARC, I loved it🫶🏻
October 14, 2025
Actually pretty good but i was thrown off by how much buildup there was towards the big reveal (iykyk) and how it was very underwhelming 🤷🏼♀️
September 30, 2025
i’m literally crying i loved this SO much!! this was my first stephanie book and i can’t believe it took me so long to read her; she’s so freaking good!
maisie and austin were truly everything to me. i’m also obsessed with the penpal of it all! i think it gave a story that we’re used to reading new depth and a bit of a twist
everything about this was just so cute; i could’ve read 500 more pages of it and not complained
thank you love notes pr for the arc!!
maisie and austin were truly everything to me. i’m also obsessed with the penpal of it all! i think it gave a story that we’re used to reading new depth and a bit of a twist
everything about this was just so cute; i could’ve read 500 more pages of it and not complained
thank you love notes pr for the arc!!
October 12, 2025
I would love to first thank Love Notes PR and Stephanie Alves for selecting me as an E-Arc reader!
I was hooked immediately! This has so many tropes I love, while still introducing me to a new one, and I love getting to see representation in a book. Plus, I can’t help but love when two characters are down bad for each other.
Parts of Maisie’s story were incredibly relatable and reading them helped to heal a part of my inner child. While this is a love story, it’s also a self love story and I think that is just as important to tell.
Readers are going to be adding Austin to their ever growing list of new book boyfriends. I don’t make the rules 🤷♀️
All in all: I can’t wait to read more work from Stephanie!
Thank you again for this incredible opportunity!
I was hooked immediately! This has so many tropes I love, while still introducing me to a new one, and I love getting to see representation in a book. Plus, I can’t help but love when two characters are down bad for each other.
Parts of Maisie’s story were incredibly relatable and reading them helped to heal a part of my inner child. While this is a love story, it’s also a self love story and I think that is just as important to tell.
Readers are going to be adding Austin to their ever growing list of new book boyfriends. I don’t make the rules 🤷♀️
All in all: I can’t wait to read more work from Stephanie!
Thank you again for this incredible opportunity!
October 2, 2025
✨️ARC REVIEW✨️
I swear I didn't plan to read it in one sit, but I just couldn't put it down! The hockey team is so funny every single group chat is hilarious and Austin and Maise are so cute together, I loved the pen pals trope. The miscommunication though felt pretty useless and it really didn't make sense to me. Anyway, the slow burn and the spicy are EVERYTHING🔥
I know everyone is waiting for Cole and Aurora, but I kinda spotted an M/M I'm very interested in👀
I swear I didn't plan to read it in one sit, but I just couldn't put it down! The hockey team is so funny every single group chat is hilarious and Austin and Maise are so cute together, I loved the pen pals trope. The miscommunication though felt pretty useless and it really didn't make sense to me. Anyway, the slow burn and the spicy are EVERYTHING🔥
I know everyone is waiting for Cole and Aurora, but I kinda spotted an M/M I'm very interested in👀
November 3, 2025
“Feeling like maybe for once in my life, I’m not just the background character in everyone else’s story. I can be the main character in mine.”
This was cuuuuute. I related to Maisie a lot, strong emotional connection and then Austin still just kept me giggling and kicking me feet of course.
I’m also excited because I can guess who the next books will be about and idk which one I want more.
This was cuuuuute. I related to Maisie a lot, strong emotional connection and then Austin still just kept me giggling and kicking me feet of course.
I’m also excited because I can guess who the next books will be about and idk which one I want more.
October 4, 2025
Really enjoyed this one. Easy 5 ⭐️s
Was so excited when I got accepted onto the ARC team for Stephanie Alves’s The Play Maker. A college sports romance between a hockey player and a figure skater.
Loved the dynamics between Austin and Maisie. They’re both really well developed characters and they had an undeniable chemistry from the get go. This book is perfect for lovers of forced proximity, tutor x student, good girl x bad boy, hockey romance lovers.
Maisie’s POV was especially heartwarming to read. To see a girl who was once so insecure within her feelings towards relationships with others and herself grow in such a way and become more secure with the help of Austin was amazing. It was done in such a careful and articulate way that it was enjoyable and clearly well thought out.
I loved reading this book and highly recommend it to others. I’m excited to read the other books in the series and hope there will be more to come 🤞🏻
Thank you for the opportunity 🫶🏻
Was so excited when I got accepted onto the ARC team for Stephanie Alves’s The Play Maker. A college sports romance between a hockey player and a figure skater.
Loved the dynamics between Austin and Maisie. They’re both really well developed characters and they had an undeniable chemistry from the get go. This book is perfect for lovers of forced proximity, tutor x student, good girl x bad boy, hockey romance lovers.
Maisie’s POV was especially heartwarming to read. To see a girl who was once so insecure within her feelings towards relationships with others and herself grow in such a way and become more secure with the help of Austin was amazing. It was done in such a careful and articulate way that it was enjoyable and clearly well thought out.
I loved reading this book and highly recommend it to others. I’m excited to read the other books in the series and hope there will be more to come 🤞🏻
Thank you for the opportunity 🫶🏻
October 17, 2025
4,5 ⭐️
“I don't want someone seeing me for real, then deciding I'm not enough.”
Traumatizing stuffed animals, romcoms are the way to go, oops.. wrong number, masks and hiding, lots and lots of eye rolls combined with flirting as if his life depends on it, a little violence apparently is the great recipe for a meet cute (stay hydrated) and an overload of them noticing the little vulnerable things about each other.
One week of this beautiful story being out already and I still thank my lucky stars that I was one of the lucky bastards who were allowed to achieve an ARC of this book. It’s a book I was looking forward to for a very long time already so thanks again Love Notes PR and Stephanie for this incredible opportunity.
He is the center of attention, while nobody even notices her. He is loud, while she is quiet and shy. Their worlds never crossed until a failed test, a recommendation and a flying water bottle changed everything. Two people who seem completely opposite may have more in common than they think. Both have their own struggles, fears and vulnerabilities. Both hide behind their mask of either jokes and flirtations or sarcasm. Walls slowly begin to crack as a friendship and feelings begin to blossom. There is one small step back though. Both are falling for a person they’ve never met, a person that only exists on the other side of a screen. The heart wants what it wants, but what if it remains indecisive? Who do you choose then?
Even though I have two books of Stephanie at home, this is the first one I read (blame my physically impossible TBR). I can safely say I look forward to reading those and the rest of this series because her writing style is incredible. I didn’t want to put my book down and I went through it quite fast. I do have to say that sometimes things felt a bit too repetitive for me. A lovely world is built here and I am looking forward to attend Colton U again. I finished this book a couple days ago and still think about them frequently.
Damn Maisie. I have to be honest and say my heart ached for her. Mostly because I could recognise myself in quite some things. She is such a cute, sweet, and powerful woman with a ton of insecurities. And even though they are not needed, it’s easier to say than actually believe sometimes. To see her get the love and validation she deserves not only from others but also from herself? That’s something I hope for everyone as well as myself one day. And I’m glad Maisie grew into that, got the chance to see that there is nothing wrong with her and that she deserves to be a part of something.
God Austin. Flirtatious, annoying, loud, funny, but mostly? Armed behind a mask. Both Maisie and Austin are protecting themselves with an armour, however I felt the contrast for Austin was bigger between his vulnerable side in his texts to Cherry and eventually in person with Maisie compared to how he acts around others. The fears and doubts he struggles with, hidden away for everyone else. He may be cocky from time to time, but he is such a green flag. Paying attention to the smallest things and remembering them. No judging or making fun of things Maisie likes - I mean waddles is an icon. Putting in the effort and I can go on. I hope that one day I’m lucky enough to find my own Austin, cause honestly? We all deserve one in life.
I adored them so much. I’m quite sure this is a book I would read again because of those two and their chemistry. Can’t wait for the next Colton U book!
The Play Maker is a college ice hockey romance that will have you giggling and kicking your feet. If you love penpals, dislike to friends to lovers and are a fan of romcoms this will be straight up your alley. A heartwarming, touching, cute story that proves that everyone is allowed to be the main character in their own story, no matter what you look like or what you struggle with.
I received this eARC voluntarily
Tropes you can expect
⛸️Dislike to friends to lovers
✍️Pen pals
⛸️Ice hockey player x figure skater
✍️She tutors him
⛸️Reformed playboy
✍️Curvy FMC
⛸️Dyslexia rep
✍️Slow burn
“I don't want someone seeing me for real, then deciding I'm not enough.”
Traumatizing stuffed animals, romcoms are the way to go, oops.. wrong number, masks and hiding, lots and lots of eye rolls combined with flirting as if his life depends on it, a little violence apparently is the great recipe for a meet cute (stay hydrated) and an overload of them noticing the little vulnerable things about each other.
One week of this beautiful story being out already and I still thank my lucky stars that I was one of the lucky bastards who were allowed to achieve an ARC of this book. It’s a book I was looking forward to for a very long time already so thanks again Love Notes PR and Stephanie for this incredible opportunity.
He is the center of attention, while nobody even notices her. He is loud, while she is quiet and shy. Their worlds never crossed until a failed test, a recommendation and a flying water bottle changed everything. Two people who seem completely opposite may have more in common than they think. Both have their own struggles, fears and vulnerabilities. Both hide behind their mask of either jokes and flirtations or sarcasm. Walls slowly begin to crack as a friendship and feelings begin to blossom. There is one small step back though. Both are falling for a person they’ve never met, a person that only exists on the other side of a screen. The heart wants what it wants, but what if it remains indecisive? Who do you choose then?
Even though I have two books of Stephanie at home, this is the first one I read (blame my physically impossible TBR). I can safely say I look forward to reading those and the rest of this series because her writing style is incredible. I didn’t want to put my book down and I went through it quite fast. I do have to say that sometimes things felt a bit too repetitive for me. A lovely world is built here and I am looking forward to attend Colton U again. I finished this book a couple days ago and still think about them frequently.
Damn Maisie. I have to be honest and say my heart ached for her. Mostly because I could recognise myself in quite some things. She is such a cute, sweet, and powerful woman with a ton of insecurities. And even though they are not needed, it’s easier to say than actually believe sometimes. To see her get the love and validation she deserves not only from others but also from herself? That’s something I hope for everyone as well as myself one day. And I’m glad Maisie grew into that, got the chance to see that there is nothing wrong with her and that she deserves to be a part of something.
God Austin. Flirtatious, annoying, loud, funny, but mostly? Armed behind a mask. Both Maisie and Austin are protecting themselves with an armour, however I felt the contrast for Austin was bigger between his vulnerable side in his texts to Cherry and eventually in person with Maisie compared to how he acts around others. The fears and doubts he struggles with, hidden away for everyone else. He may be cocky from time to time, but he is such a green flag. Paying attention to the smallest things and remembering them. No judging or making fun of things Maisie likes - I mean waddles is an icon. Putting in the effort and I can go on. I hope that one day I’m lucky enough to find my own Austin, cause honestly? We all deserve one in life.
I adored them so much. I’m quite sure this is a book I would read again because of those two and their chemistry. Can’t wait for the next Colton U book!
The Play Maker is a college ice hockey romance that will have you giggling and kicking your feet. If you love penpals, dislike to friends to lovers and are a fan of romcoms this will be straight up your alley. A heartwarming, touching, cute story that proves that everyone is allowed to be the main character in their own story, no matter what you look like or what you struggle with.
I received this eARC voluntarily
Tropes you can expect
⛸️Dislike to friends to lovers
✍️Pen pals
⛸️Ice hockey player x figure skater
✍️She tutors him
⛸️Reformed playboy
✍️Curvy FMC
⛸️Dyslexia rep
✍️Slow burn
October 4, 2025
Firstly, massive thank you to Stephanie Alves and LoveNotes Pr for sending me the ARC of this amazing book 💝💝. I knew this was going to be a 6 star read before I even started and the expectations I had where far exceeded. I had so much fun! I've been so excited for Maisie and Austin's book to be released since forever. Austin stole my heart in book one and he completely has it now. 😌❤️🔥
What to expect:
🏒 Hockey Player x Figure Skater
✏️ Pen Pal
📚 Tutor
🥰 Plus Size FMC
😇 Reformed Himbo
❤��🔥 Slow Burn
The two of them together described in one word is "cuteness overload", I was squealing and giggling so much. I want/need what they have. This is slow burn done so right and when they both realized they're into each other and decided to act on the feelings...chef's kiss!! The pen pal situation was soo cute, the tutoring in the library was perfect because we start to see their interactions and banter lol; Maisie actually couldn't stand him at first which was hilarious but Austin's charm and stubbornness definitely chiped away at her shields. Their meet cute though, lol. Them skating together late at night gave me flutters, I couldn't handle it; the tension whew!! Their first date was just adorable!! Them watching rom coms together was endearing!! 🤗
Maisie Wilson; I loved her so much. Such a relatable FMC, I wish I was her when I was 21, I wish I was her now. There's not going to be day where I will not give the praise and flowers to a plus size character because to see us gurlies represented and loved will never not make my heart full. Reading about Maisie's story of love, her self discovery and her journey with new friendships was just beautiful. I teared up so much because her inner thoughts where very relatable. She deserves all the love and more and seeing her get everything she thought she didn't deserve (which she absolutely does), felt rewarding to read. I love her fashion sense, her passion for skating, she's beautiful, a hardworking girl, loving, caring, sweet, fiesty at times lol, and adorable (her plushie collection was too cute). And she's a hopeless romantic like us all and loves rom coms xx And she loves baking like me 🫂💕
Austin Rhodes; my green flag golden retriever boyfriend 🥺. He starts of as a playa but its not the main focal point as he leaves all that once he starts having feelings for 🍒 /M 😉, like he literally cut that casual s*x lifestyle asap. He really is fun and flirty. When I realised that he was dyslexic, my heart broke for him, not because he was dyslexic, but because of his internal thoughts of being dumb, I was like NO you're not! You process information and learn differently and that's okay. Mais reassuring him and helping him with his studies by being patient and non judgemental was very heartwarming to read, I was very happy to see her cheer him on and be there for him through their tutoring sessions. I found Austin to be the most boyfriend of all boyfriends once he was in his feels, whipped and obsessed! And he was not in the slightest bit afraid to be vocal about his feelings. He was her biggest supporter, always admiring and affirming her, let's her know just how beautiful she is, how much she means to him. He also plays the guitar (swoon) and he played only for her (double swoon). He keeps her favourite snacks in his room, and encourages her to eat (ifykyk) and made her feel safe and comfortable in her own skin xx 🤧💕
The scene where he climbed the table to shout that he's taken and if you're not Maisie then don't touch him?? I died a little and went to heaven. He also calls her "Freckles" 🥺 (22 times, I counted 😌). I loved every second of seeing Austin fall in love and working to stay in love with my gorgeous angel Mais xx 💗
Another favourite moment was Austin and coach, these two got me dying of laughter 😂 😆, like I couldn't breathe at times. Austin and the guys; Ryan, Logan, Nathan and Cole also made me laugh so much. Their friendship was wholesome and chaotic lol. Talking about friendships; when Aurora and Isabella got introduced to Maisie and they became her girls I definitely shed a few tears. I was so happy for her 😭.
This book is written so beautifully; from the tropes to the plot to the characters to the way their relationship develops...10/10. This has become my most highly rated hockey romance of the year and I can't wait for it to be released on the 10th of October 🎀✨️
☆°♡☆Favourite quotes ☆♡°☆
"she's cute...like, stupidly cute"
"So you're my first?...No, you're my only".
"She's mine. My Maisie".
"There's no other girl, Maisie. There's only you".
"You're obsessed with me?...Painfully".
"It will always be her".
"You're it, Maisie, you're the only one I want. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, baby".
"I'd wait a lifetime just to meet her all over again".
"Don't hide from me...You're beautiful, Mais. I've ner seen anything so beautiful before in my life".
"You're perfect to me".
"You're everything I ever wanted".
"Thank you for loving me...Easiest thing I've done in my life".
"My cherry. My Freckles. My girl".
What to expect:
🏒 Hockey Player x Figure Skater
✏️ Pen Pal
📚 Tutor
🥰 Plus Size FMC
😇 Reformed Himbo
❤��🔥 Slow Burn
The two of them together described in one word is "cuteness overload", I was squealing and giggling so much. I want/need what they have. This is slow burn done so right and when they both realized they're into each other and decided to act on the feelings...chef's kiss!! The pen pal situation was soo cute, the tutoring in the library was perfect because we start to see their interactions and banter lol; Maisie actually couldn't stand him at first which was hilarious but Austin's charm and stubbornness definitely chiped away at her shields. Their meet cute though, lol. Them skating together late at night gave me flutters, I couldn't handle it; the tension whew!! Their first date was just adorable!! Them watching rom coms together was endearing!! 🤗
Maisie Wilson; I loved her so much. Such a relatable FMC, I wish I was her when I was 21, I wish I was her now. There's not going to be day where I will not give the praise and flowers to a plus size character because to see us gurlies represented and loved will never not make my heart full. Reading about Maisie's story of love, her self discovery and her journey with new friendships was just beautiful. I teared up so much because her inner thoughts where very relatable. She deserves all the love and more and seeing her get everything she thought she didn't deserve (which she absolutely does), felt rewarding to read. I love her fashion sense, her passion for skating, she's beautiful, a hardworking girl, loving, caring, sweet, fiesty at times lol, and adorable (her plushie collection was too cute). And she's a hopeless romantic like us all and loves rom coms xx And she loves baking like me 🫂💕
Austin Rhodes; my green flag golden retriever boyfriend 🥺. He starts of as a playa but its not the main focal point as he leaves all that once he starts having feelings for 🍒 /M 😉, like he literally cut that casual s*x lifestyle asap. He really is fun and flirty. When I realised that he was dyslexic, my heart broke for him, not because he was dyslexic, but because of his internal thoughts of being dumb, I was like NO you're not! You process information and learn differently and that's okay. Mais reassuring him and helping him with his studies by being patient and non judgemental was very heartwarming to read, I was very happy to see her cheer him on and be there for him through their tutoring sessions. I found Austin to be the most boyfriend of all boyfriends once he was in his feels, whipped and obsessed! And he was not in the slightest bit afraid to be vocal about his feelings. He was her biggest supporter, always admiring and affirming her, let's her know just how beautiful she is, how much she means to him. He also plays the guitar (swoon) and he played only for her (double swoon). He keeps her favourite snacks in his room, and encourages her to eat (ifykyk) and made her feel safe and comfortable in her own skin xx 🤧💕
The scene where he climbed the table to shout that he's taken and if you're not Maisie then don't touch him?? I died a little and went to heaven. He also calls her "Freckles" 🥺 (22 times, I counted 😌). I loved every second of seeing Austin fall in love and working to stay in love with my gorgeous angel Mais xx 💗
Another favourite moment was Austin and coach, these two got me dying of laughter 😂 😆, like I couldn't breathe at times. Austin and the guys; Ryan, Logan, Nathan and Cole also made me laugh so much. Their friendship was wholesome and chaotic lol. Talking about friendships; when Aurora and Isabella got introduced to Maisie and they became her girls I definitely shed a few tears. I was so happy for her 😭.
This book is written so beautifully; from the tropes to the plot to the characters to the way their relationship develops...10/10. This has become my most highly rated hockey romance of the year and I can't wait for it to be released on the 10th of October 🎀✨️
☆°♡☆Favourite quotes ☆♡°☆
"she's cute...like, stupidly cute"
"So you're my first?...No, you're my only".
"She's mine. My Maisie".
"There's no other girl, Maisie. There's only you".
"You're obsessed with me?...Painfully".
"It will always be her".
"You're it, Maisie, you're the only one I want. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, baby".
"I'd wait a lifetime just to meet her all over again".
"Don't hide from me...You're beautiful, Mais. I've ner seen anything so beautiful before in my life".
"You're perfect to me".
"You're everything I ever wanted".
"Thank you for loving me...Easiest thing I've done in my life".
"My cherry. My Freckles. My girl".
October 15, 2025
Fave quote:
“There’s no other girl, Maisie. There’s only you.”
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review:
Huge fan of sports (hockey esp) romance here, so obviously, I loved this book.
Big thanks to Stephanie Alves and Love Notes PR for sending me the ARC of this cute book. I knew I had to get my hands on it after The Rule Breaker (Colton U Book 1 ft Ryan Reeds <3 which was a 5 Star Read for me).
The Playmaker was a fun, cute and feel-good hockey romance book, but a very SLOOOOOOW burn, that’ll make you scream at the characters to just kiss already. MAIGAD. There was really cute, flirty banter, the FMC has sass and the MMC liked trolling and flirt-teasing her, which will definitely have you giggling and smiling stupidly. The slow burn was well done; it went on till over the 70% mark if I recall, because once they decided to act on their feelings - IT WAS SUBLIME. FAM. I CANNOT EVEN.
MMC: Austin / Six
Austin in book 1 was funny and annoying and I did not expect him to be like how he was in this book. He is GOLDEN RETRIEVER PERSONIFIED. I fell in love with him immediately. He’s so sweet, caring but also flirtatious. To read about a hot hockey player, who is so dedicated towards the sport, but also has his insecurities, isn’t shallow, has a heart of gold and was crushing on a pen pal who he has never even met, HAD ME SCREAMING. You’ll find out he deals with a learning disability, which affects his grades and is the reason he starts failing a subject and needs a tutor. Which is how he meets our FMC, Maisie!
Austin meets Maisie at the rink, then gets her to tutor him. They start with a student-tutor x student-tutee friendship, which evolves into genuine friendship, which evolves into more, which you can see through the interactions, the text messages and flirty banter sprinkled throughout the book. He’s so considerate, so kind, so gentle and patient and understanding towards Maisie and her insecurities. Also, the things he does, to make the girl he likes happy is so swoon-worthy. Man gets whipped, and I was all for it.
FMC: Maisie / Cherry
Maisie is a shy, introverted, smart wallflower. She’s plus-sized and athletic - hello, she’s a figure-skater with mad skills and has the strength, agility and flexibility to be able to perform the stunts described in the book. As a fitness trainer, I would have liked to see more - even if just a glimpse - of her training aside from just skating on the ice rink, though, as additional emphasis to her talent and hard-work ethics. She’s a hopeless romantic, loves rom-coms (what a bestie), and sassy as hell, especially towards Austin throughout the book, which I loved. Her insecurities and past trauma do affect her life and decisions though - it was heart-breaking to read her inner monologue at times, because of the way she sees herself. TW: She has body dysmorphia, and is insecure about her body, which a lot of people can probably relate to.
Throughout the book, you’ll see how Maisie and Austin help each other grow - mentally and emotionally, how they support each other, and Austin’s friends become Maisie’s friends. How Maisie finds herself, learns to love and accept herself. It really was such a sweet read. Their relationship is so pure.
I would recommend it to anyone who’s into sports romance / hockey romance and the following tropes:
Tropes
- Hockey Player (College) x Figure Skater (College)
- Plus sized FMC
- Pen Pal
- Tutor
- Secret Identity
- Reformed Himbo / Player
- Virgin FMC
- Slow Burn
- Found Family
- Mental Health rep / Learning disability rep
Side notes:
This book did make me realise the secret identity trope where the FMC/MMC likes one person and an anonymous online person (who is actually also the FMC/MMC) gives me anxiety. 😂
TW: Mental Health rep - FMC has body dysmorphia and anxiety, MMC has a learning disability (dyslexia) and panic attacks. I wish they touched on these elements a bit more in depth.
Final notes:
Loved this book, but I liked book 1 a bit more than this one. The found family trope in this book is what kept me hooked since book 1. I am following this series until I get all the Colton U boys’ books!!!!! They’re so chaotic, so hilarious, but also, so wholesome and I need them all to have their happily ever after!
This book is swoon-worthy and sweet and one of the best hockey reads released this year. Definitely recommend this to any hockey / sports romance readers. Check it out! <3
“There’s no other girl, Maisie. There’s only you.”
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review:
Huge fan of sports (hockey esp) romance here, so obviously, I loved this book.
Big thanks to Stephanie Alves and Love Notes PR for sending me the ARC of this cute book. I knew I had to get my hands on it after The Rule Breaker (Colton U Book 1 ft Ryan Reeds <3 which was a 5 Star Read for me).
The Playmaker was a fun, cute and feel-good hockey romance book, but a very SLOOOOOOW burn, that’ll make you scream at the characters to just kiss already. MAIGAD. There was really cute, flirty banter, the FMC has sass and the MMC liked trolling and flirt-teasing her, which will definitely have you giggling and smiling stupidly. The slow burn was well done; it went on till over the 70% mark if I recall, because once they decided to act on their feelings - IT WAS SUBLIME. FAM. I CANNOT EVEN.
MMC: Austin / Six
Austin in book 1 was funny and annoying and I did not expect him to be like how he was in this book. He is GOLDEN RETRIEVER PERSONIFIED. I fell in love with him immediately. He’s so sweet, caring but also flirtatious. To read about a hot hockey player, who is so dedicated towards the sport, but also has his insecurities, isn’t shallow, has a heart of gold and was crushing on a pen pal who he has never even met, HAD ME SCREAMING. You’ll find out he deals with a learning disability, which affects his grades and is the reason he starts failing a subject and needs a tutor. Which is how he meets our FMC, Maisie!
Austin meets Maisie at the rink, then gets her to tutor him. They start with a student-tutor x student-tutee friendship, which evolves into genuine friendship, which evolves into more, which you can see through the interactions, the text messages and flirty banter sprinkled throughout the book. He’s so considerate, so kind, so gentle and patient and understanding towards Maisie and her insecurities. Also, the things he does, to make the girl he likes happy is so swoon-worthy. Man gets whipped, and I was all for it.
FMC: Maisie / Cherry
Maisie is a shy, introverted, smart wallflower. She’s plus-sized and athletic - hello, she’s a figure-skater with mad skills and has the strength, agility and flexibility to be able to perform the stunts described in the book. As a fitness trainer, I would have liked to see more - even if just a glimpse - of her training aside from just skating on the ice rink, though, as additional emphasis to her talent and hard-work ethics. She’s a hopeless romantic, loves rom-coms (what a bestie), and sassy as hell, especially towards Austin throughout the book, which I loved. Her insecurities and past trauma do affect her life and decisions though - it was heart-breaking to read her inner monologue at times, because of the way she sees herself. TW: She has body dysmorphia, and is insecure about her body, which a lot of people can probably relate to.
Throughout the book, you’ll see how Maisie and Austin help each other grow - mentally and emotionally, how they support each other, and Austin’s friends become Maisie’s friends. How Maisie finds herself, learns to love and accept herself. It really was such a sweet read. Their relationship is so pure.
I would recommend it to anyone who’s into sports romance / hockey romance and the following tropes:
Tropes
- Hockey Player (College) x Figure Skater (College)
- Plus sized FMC
- Pen Pal
- Tutor
- Secret Identity
- Reformed Himbo / Player
- Virgin FMC
- Slow Burn
- Found Family
- Mental Health rep / Learning disability rep
Side notes:
This book did make me realise the secret identity trope where the FMC/MMC likes one person and an anonymous online person (who is actually also the FMC/MMC) gives me anxiety. 😂
TW: Mental Health rep - FMC has body dysmorphia and anxiety, MMC has a learning disability (dyslexia) and panic attacks. I wish they touched on these elements a bit more in depth.
Final notes:
Loved this book, but I liked book 1 a bit more than this one. The found family trope in this book is what kept me hooked since book 1. I am following this series until I get all the Colton U boys’ books!!!!! They’re so chaotic, so hilarious, but also, so wholesome and I need them all to have their happily ever after!
This book is swoon-worthy and sweet and one of the best hockey reads released this year. Definitely recommend this to any hockey / sports romance readers. Check it out! <3
October 7, 2025
This is a hard one for me to review. I loved the sweet story between Austin and Maisie and thought the book was perfect as a standalone. However, within the Colton U Playbook and compared to other books by Stephanie, it felt a little boring for me.
I absolutely loved The Rule Breaker. I thought that Stephanie did a phenomenal job setting up the series and the characters with amazing dynamics amongst the different MMC/teammates that we will have throughout this series, not to mention that the spice between the first couple was so hot. Austin was one of my favorite characters in that first book, and I knew when we got to his book, I was going to enjoy it so much. We had a little easter egg of Maisie towards the end of The Rule Breaker so I was curious to actually meet her.
Well, the second book now focuses on both Austin and Maisie, and separately, I enjoyed them immensely. Austin is more of that great character we met in the first book, but with so many more layers. While he was all cocky and goofy in the first book, we also got to see the vulnerable side of him in The Play Maker. He genuinely has a good heart despite being the cocky playboy. He could be a judgmental jerk, but he is not. He is a happy-go-lucky person who tries to put a smile on his face at all times. He even wears the smile as a mask, making fun of himself to lighten the situation. You know the saying, better to laugh with them.... He sets himself up to be the butt of the joke and laughs at himself before someone else can do it to spare his true feelings.
Maisie...I related to Maisie on a personal level so much. Many, many years ago, when I was a high school student, I felt the way Maisie does. Invisible. Self-doubt and insecurities played a big part in who I was to the outside world, and it made me hide away. Thankfully, I reinvented myself after I got out of high school, found my confidence, and learned to fake it until I was able to start to really discover who I was and come out of my shell. I wish Maisie had been able to do that herself and soone,r but it took someone to see her, it took Austin, to pull her out of her shell and let her grow.
As an individual, I loved both of these characters, and I love how they were able to grow because of each other. The friendship that they offered each other, before anything else happened, is what gave the other confidence. My issue with the story was the romance between them. I personally didn't feel the fire between them. That doesn't mean that I don't think they are a good couple. I just feel like they are a "comfortable" couple. It felt like a connection of a couple that is 20+ years into their relationship, where they still have some embers and chemistry, but the relationship has now evolved into a solid partnership. That's great for the long-term, and it is what I hope all our literary couple goals achieve eventually. However, when the couple is starting out, when they are young and in college, a big driving force in a relationship is the passion, the chemistry. I didn't feel that between Austin and Maisie. I think this is partially because of the very slow burn that this book was. Seriously...it took forever for them to move past the friendship, compassion aspect, and overcome some of the self-doubt (Maisie). When it finally did happen at the 70+% (I actually don't remember at what point it happened, but it was pretty late in the book), it was sweet love-making rather than passionate, college ... smut (for lack of a better word). I understood that this was Maisie's first time, and obviously, she isn't as confident or well-versed in this act as others, but it almost felt like they were a high school couple losing their virginity, despite the fact that Austin had been a pretty bit of a playboy on campus.
I have no problem with slow burn, or fade to black or closed book romances. However, I like to go in knowing when it will be like this because, based on all the previous books I have read from Stephanie (and I think I have read all in her catalogue to this point), they are usually a bit more spicy than what I found Maisie and Austin to be. I went in with higher expectations, or thinking it was going to be something else entirely, and it just fell short for me.
Now, with this said....I definitely enjoyed the book, not only for Maisie and Austin, but also because we were able to spend more time with the rest of the characters. I have my predictions of who the next couple is going to be, and I really hope I am right because, while Stephanie has touched on sexual orientation in a previous book, she has never had a same-sex couple, and I am really hoping that book #3 will be the first one she does. As for the last book of the series....OMG. The lead-up to it, the animosity, the venom between the characters. This is going to be such a good hate-to-love story, and I am here for it.
Thank you Stephanie and LoveNotes PR for the ARC copy of The Play Maker.
I absolutely loved The Rule Breaker. I thought that Stephanie did a phenomenal job setting up the series and the characters with amazing dynamics amongst the different MMC/teammates that we will have throughout this series, not to mention that the spice between the first couple was so hot. Austin was one of my favorite characters in that first book, and I knew when we got to his book, I was going to enjoy it so much. We had a little easter egg of Maisie towards the end of The Rule Breaker so I was curious to actually meet her.
Well, the second book now focuses on both Austin and Maisie, and separately, I enjoyed them immensely. Austin is more of that great character we met in the first book, but with so many more layers. While he was all cocky and goofy in the first book, we also got to see the vulnerable side of him in The Play Maker. He genuinely has a good heart despite being the cocky playboy. He could be a judgmental jerk, but he is not. He is a happy-go-lucky person who tries to put a smile on his face at all times. He even wears the smile as a mask, making fun of himself to lighten the situation. You know the saying, better to laugh with them.... He sets himself up to be the butt of the joke and laughs at himself before someone else can do it to spare his true feelings.
Maisie...I related to Maisie on a personal level so much. Many, many years ago, when I was a high school student, I felt the way Maisie does. Invisible. Self-doubt and insecurities played a big part in who I was to the outside world, and it made me hide away. Thankfully, I reinvented myself after I got out of high school, found my confidence, and learned to fake it until I was able to start to really discover who I was and come out of my shell. I wish Maisie had been able to do that herself and soone,r but it took someone to see her, it took Austin, to pull her out of her shell and let her grow.
As an individual, I loved both of these characters, and I love how they were able to grow because of each other. The friendship that they offered each other, before anything else happened, is what gave the other confidence. My issue with the story was the romance between them. I personally didn't feel the fire between them. That doesn't mean that I don't think they are a good couple. I just feel like they are a "comfortable" couple. It felt like a connection of a couple that is 20+ years into their relationship, where they still have some embers and chemistry, but the relationship has now evolved into a solid partnership. That's great for the long-term, and it is what I hope all our literary couple goals achieve eventually. However, when the couple is starting out, when they are young and in college, a big driving force in a relationship is the passion, the chemistry. I didn't feel that between Austin and Maisie. I think this is partially because of the very slow burn that this book was. Seriously...it took forever for them to move past the friendship, compassion aspect, and overcome some of the self-doubt (Maisie). When it finally did happen at the 70+% (I actually don't remember at what point it happened, but it was pretty late in the book), it was sweet love-making rather than passionate, college ... smut (for lack of a better word). I understood that this was Maisie's first time, and obviously, she isn't as confident or well-versed in this act as others, but it almost felt like they were a high school couple losing their virginity, despite the fact that Austin had been a pretty bit of a playboy on campus.
I have no problem with slow burn, or fade to black or closed book romances. However, I like to go in knowing when it will be like this because, based on all the previous books I have read from Stephanie (and I think I have read all in her catalogue to this point), they are usually a bit more spicy than what I found Maisie and Austin to be. I went in with higher expectations, or thinking it was going to be something else entirely, and it just fell short for me.
Now, with this said....I definitely enjoyed the book, not only for Maisie and Austin, but also because we were able to spend more time with the rest of the characters. I have my predictions of who the next couple is going to be, and I really hope I am right because, while Stephanie has touched on sexual orientation in a previous book, she has never had a same-sex couple, and I am really hoping that book #3 will be the first one she does. As for the last book of the series....OMG. The lead-up to it, the animosity, the venom between the characters. This is going to be such a good hate-to-love story, and I am here for it.
Thank you Stephanie and LoveNotes PR for the ARC copy of The Play Maker.
Read
October 5, 2025~ ARC read ~
First of all, thank you to Lovenotes PR and Stephanie to provide me with the ARC of this amazing book.
Now secondly, my thoughts about this beautiful story. This was my first Stephanie Alves book and I must say that her writing style and storytelling really is right up my alley.
So this book is a pen pal kind of situation, which was also a first one for me!
Austin fails a test and gets suspended from hockey until he gets back on track with his grades. In comes Maisie as his tutor. From the start we are already aware that they both have pen pals that they secretly are starting to fall in love with.
So Austin, oh sweet, golden retriever Austin. He is immediatly drawn to her from the first time he sees her (he accidentally hits her with a water bottle) and you can tell.
I haven't read the first book, but it is clear that he hides his insecurity behind being funny. He believes he is stupid due to his dislexia and the hockey is the only thing he is good at and gives him his worth.
Maisie is also such a beautiful character and so relatable. She is an ice skater and isn't your typical "skinny" girl. She has insecurities and is rather lonely, as is beautifully represented in the story. She never really had any friends and it broke my heart to read about it.
Those two together? Perfect! Their banter is topnotch. The way that they slowly start to fall for eachother, however feel conflicted due to their pen pals. But when Austin decides that Maisie is it, oh my heart, he really goes for it. I love how he validates her, makes her feel like the most beautiful girl in the world and is head over heels obsessed with her. I love it when the man falls first and oh so, had.
It is a slow burn, but when the burning starts..yeah, it is fire!!
--------- Some of my favorite moments from the many, many in this book.
- The girl lifts her head with a sigh, and our eyes meet again. And fuck me. It should be illegal to have eyes that distracting. I don't know if it's the contrast against her dark brown hair or just some kind of witchcraft, but they're unreal. Siren-level hypnotic.
- God, she's annoying. And frustrating. And somehow the most interesting person I've talked to in forever.
- For a second, I don’t think it’s real. My eyes are betraying me. They have to be. Because Maisie Wilson—the girl who rolls her eyes and grumbles through every study session—is standing there in a tiny denim skirt that shows way more leg than I’ve ever seen on her, and a strappy pink top that hugs every curve, showing off collarbones and shoulders and all the things I didn’t even realize I was obsessed with until this very moment.
- I want her to keep looking at me like I’m something other than the pain-in-the-ass student she’s been stuck tutoring. Because now? I’m not just looking at her. I’m seeing her. And I don’t think I can stop.
- I flirt, I hook up, but I don’t do relationships. I don’t risk hurting someone, or being hurt by someone. I don’t want someone seeing me for real, then deciding I’m not enough. Until now. Until this. Until her.
- My mind spinning. All I know is that somewhere in that crowd is a girl I’ve only ever known through a screen. And walking away from me is a girl who’s changing everything I thought I wanted. And I don’t know which one I’m supposed to be chasing.
- I’d wait forever for her without a second thought.
- I breathe for her. I skate for her. I exist for her.
First of all, thank you to Lovenotes PR and Stephanie to provide me with the ARC of this amazing book.
Now secondly, my thoughts about this beautiful story. This was my first Stephanie Alves book and I must say that her writing style and storytelling really is right up my alley.
So this book is a pen pal kind of situation, which was also a first one for me!
Austin fails a test and gets suspended from hockey until he gets back on track with his grades. In comes Maisie as his tutor. From the start we are already aware that they both have pen pals that they secretly are starting to fall in love with.
So Austin, oh sweet, golden retriever Austin. He is immediatly drawn to her from the first time he sees her (he accidentally hits her with a water bottle) and you can tell.
I haven't read the first book, but it is clear that he hides his insecurity behind being funny. He believes he is stupid due to his dislexia and the hockey is the only thing he is good at and gives him his worth.
Maisie is also such a beautiful character and so relatable. She is an ice skater and isn't your typical "skinny" girl. She has insecurities and is rather lonely, as is beautifully represented in the story. She never really had any friends and it broke my heart to read about it.
Those two together? Perfect! Their banter is topnotch. The way that they slowly start to fall for eachother, however feel conflicted due to their pen pals. But when Austin decides that Maisie is it, oh my heart, he really goes for it. I love how he validates her, makes her feel like the most beautiful girl in the world and is head over heels obsessed with her. I love it when the man falls first and oh so, had.
It is a slow burn, but when the burning starts..yeah, it is fire!!
--------- Some of my favorite moments from the many, many in this book.
- The girl lifts her head with a sigh, and our eyes meet again. And fuck me. It should be illegal to have eyes that distracting. I don't know if it's the contrast against her dark brown hair or just some kind of witchcraft, but they're unreal. Siren-level hypnotic.
- God, she's annoying. And frustrating. And somehow the most interesting person I've talked to in forever.
- For a second, I don’t think it’s real. My eyes are betraying me. They have to be. Because Maisie Wilson—the girl who rolls her eyes and grumbles through every study session—is standing there in a tiny denim skirt that shows way more leg than I’ve ever seen on her, and a strappy pink top that hugs every curve, showing off collarbones and shoulders and all the things I didn’t even realize I was obsessed with until this very moment.
- I want her to keep looking at me like I’m something other than the pain-in-the-ass student she’s been stuck tutoring. Because now? I’m not just looking at her. I’m seeing her. And I don’t think I can stop.
- I flirt, I hook up, but I don’t do relationships. I don’t risk hurting someone, or being hurt by someone. I don’t want someone seeing me for real, then deciding I’m not enough. Until now. Until this. Until her.
- My mind spinning. All I know is that somewhere in that crowd is a girl I’ve only ever known through a screen. And walking away from me is a girl who’s changing everything I thought I wanted. And I don’t know which one I’m supposed to be chasing.
- I’d wait forever for her without a second thought.
- I breathe for her. I skate for her. I exist for her.
October 16, 2025
Okay, so listen 😭 I might be posting this a little late as per my usual (because life and ADHD decided to team up against me again 😅).
But I’m here to join the party now, and I’ve brought feelings.
The Play Maker completely owned me from the very first chapter.
I started it while on vacation thinking, oh, I’ll just read a few pages before bed… yeah, famous last words 🙃
Next thing I know, it’s 1 a.m. and I’m ignoring everything, because I could not stop reading.
Maisie and Austin had me kicking my feet, giggling, gasping, whispering “just tell her already!” like some unhinged best friend who’s way too invested 😩💀
The texting?? Oh my God, the texting!! Playful, flirty, awkward, real … it had me grinning like an idiot every single time.
And Maisie… I love her so much 🥹
She’s the kind of FMC that feels real in every way.
Insecure, unsure, constantly second-guessing herself — but learning, little by little, that she’s allowed to take up space, to be seen, to be loved exactly as she is.
Watching her grow into herself, to finally believe she deserves it, hit so close to home.
I was her, at some point, and it made my heart ache in the best way.
Then there’s Austin… my golden retriever in hockey skates 🏒😭
Flirty and cocky at first, sure, but the second he caught feelings? Yeah, game over for me.
He’s loyal, patient, protective, and absolutely obsessed with her in the sweetest way possible.
He plays guitar (swoon), keeps her favorite snacks in his room (double swoon), and is constantly hyping her up like the green-flag king he is 😭💘
Their dynamic together??? Chef’s kiss.
Hockey player × figure skater. Pen pal turned tutor.
Slow burn that actually burns 🔥
Every single small moment between them felt huge. There’s the late-night skating, the banter, the inside jokes, the tension that builds until you’re practically begging for it to snap. It’s everything.
And that reveal 😭
I held my breath, I swear. My heart actually stopped and restarted in the best way.
(Don’t spoil it, don’t spoil it, don’t spoil it 🤐)
I don’t remember every line, but I remember how it made me feel.
And I remember finishing the book and being like,
“Where do I buy this book?” and
“This is a 5-star read, I need to tell everyone about it!”
Literally went to my stories mid-vacation because, damn 🤯🤩
Warm. Real. Addictive. Like comfort and chaos all wrapped up in one book-shaped package.
If you love:
🏒 Sports romance
💌 Texting / pen-pal twist
⛸️ Figure skater × hockey player
💗 Plus-size FMC
🔥 Slow burn that actually delivers
📚 Tutor vibes
Then please, do yourself a favor and read this book. I promise you won’t regret it 😭🤍✨
Stephanie Alves, thank you for letting me read this ARC.
You’ve officially joined my “I’ll buy every book she ever writes” list.
Now excuse me while I grab book one and start counting the days until the next release 🥹🤍
But I’m here to join the party now, and I’ve brought feelings.
The Play Maker completely owned me from the very first chapter.
I started it while on vacation thinking, oh, I’ll just read a few pages before bed… yeah, famous last words 🙃
Next thing I know, it’s 1 a.m. and I’m ignoring everything, because I could not stop reading.
Maisie and Austin had me kicking my feet, giggling, gasping, whispering “just tell her already!” like some unhinged best friend who’s way too invested 😩💀
The texting?? Oh my God, the texting!! Playful, flirty, awkward, real … it had me grinning like an idiot every single time.
And Maisie… I love her so much 🥹
She’s the kind of FMC that feels real in every way.
Insecure, unsure, constantly second-guessing herself — but learning, little by little, that she’s allowed to take up space, to be seen, to be loved exactly as she is.
Watching her grow into herself, to finally believe she deserves it, hit so close to home.
I was her, at some point, and it made my heart ache in the best way.
Then there’s Austin… my golden retriever in hockey skates 🏒😭
Flirty and cocky at first, sure, but the second he caught feelings? Yeah, game over for me.
He’s loyal, patient, protective, and absolutely obsessed with her in the sweetest way possible.
He plays guitar (swoon), keeps her favorite snacks in his room (double swoon), and is constantly hyping her up like the green-flag king he is 😭💘
Their dynamic together??? Chef’s kiss.
Hockey player × figure skater. Pen pal turned tutor.
Slow burn that actually burns 🔥
Every single small moment between them felt huge. There’s the late-night skating, the banter, the inside jokes, the tension that builds until you’re practically begging for it to snap. It’s everything.
And that reveal 😭
I held my breath, I swear. My heart actually stopped and restarted in the best way.
(Don’t spoil it, don’t spoil it, don’t spoil it 🤐)
I don’t remember every line, but I remember how it made me feel.
And I remember finishing the book and being like,
“Where do I buy this book?” and
“This is a 5-star read, I need to tell everyone about it!”
Literally went to my stories mid-vacation because, damn 🤯🤩
Warm. Real. Addictive. Like comfort and chaos all wrapped up in one book-shaped package.
If you love:
🏒 Sports romance
💌 Texting / pen-pal twist
⛸️ Figure skater × hockey player
💗 Plus-size FMC
🔥 Slow burn that actually delivers
📚 Tutor vibes
Then please, do yourself a favor and read this book. I promise you won’t regret it 😭🤍✨
Stephanie Alves, thank you for letting me read this ARC.
You’ve officially joined my “I’ll buy every book she ever writes” list.
Now excuse me while I grab book one and start counting the days until the next release 🥹🤍
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2025
first of all I thank Lipa my girl for introducing me to this books.
HOLY MF MOLY SHIT, I’m still not over the fact that I’m done with their world, never thought I’d see myself in a character soo much that it’d hurt buttttt Maisie DAMN
I literally thought I was just reading abt myself at some point, and Austin AHHH he’s the kind of guy I like reading abt, with a personality and ofccc HOT (sry Mais)
I loved this book soooo much and I enjoyed it, I wish there was more of these two cause they have my heart COMPLETELY now, and I can’t wait to read more of this author
This book was SOO GOOD I’m still shocked I get to live a life where reading exists
Every book I read reminds me of how much I actually LOVE reading books, and this one was DEFINITELY one of those.
Austin, let me start with saying he’s A HOTTIE (again, SRY Mais) this guy had ME giggling the whole time, he’s charming or “annoying” as Maisie says, the way he loves her is just AMAZING and ahhhgggg I’m gonna melt just thinking abt him so I’m gonna say that for him for NOW
I loved everyone in this book, THE GROUP, I loveeee them soooo much Isabella and Aurora AGHHHG my babiessss
ISA and Ryan I love their relationship soooooo much it hurts MY BABIESSS, I can’t wait for the others to get their own stories sooon
HOLY MF MOLY SHIT, I’m still not over the fact that I’m done with their world, never thought I’d see myself in a character soo much that it’d hurt buttttt Maisie DAMN
I literally thought I was just reading abt myself at some point, and Austin AHHH he’s the kind of guy I like reading abt, with a personality and ofccc HOT (sry Mais)
I loved this book soooo much and I enjoyed it, I wish there was more of these two cause they have my heart COMPLETELY now, and I can’t wait to read more of this author
This book was SOO GOOD I’m still shocked I get to live a life where reading exists
Every book I read reminds me of how much I actually LOVE reading books, and this one was DEFINITELY one of those.
Austin, let me start with saying he’s A HOTTIE (again, SRY Mais) this guy had ME giggling the whole time, he’s charming or “annoying” as Maisie says, the way he loves her is just AMAZING and ahhhgggg I’m gonna melt just thinking abt him so I’m gonna say that for him for NOW
I loved everyone in this book, THE GROUP, I loveeee them soooo much Isabella and Aurora AGHHHG my babiessss
ISA and Ryan I love their relationship soooooo much it hurts MY BABIESSS, I can’t wait for the others to get their own stories sooon
October 15, 2025
✨Arc Review✨
Omg this was soooo cute!!! The love was there, the connection was there, the found family was definitely there too. I loved how everyone was supportive, especially the girls. I really liked to see how her insecurities were validated and how everyone always tried to make Maisie feel good about herself and see that she didn’t need to be skinny to be beautiful. How Austin always made sure to tell her she was beautiful and that he liked her for who she was. He was such a good person, even when he didn’t feel it or when he made that mistake about not coming forward with the pen pal truth but the rest of the story kinda made up for it. Because even if it was wrong, his reasons were a little valid. Anyways I loved them!!
Omg this was soooo cute!!! The love was there, the connection was there, the found family was definitely there too. I loved how everyone was supportive, especially the girls. I really liked to see how her insecurities were validated and how everyone always tried to make Maisie feel good about herself and see that she didn’t need to be skinny to be beautiful. How Austin always made sure to tell her she was beautiful and that he liked her for who she was. He was such a good person, even when he didn’t feel it or when he made that mistake about not coming forward with the pen pal truth but the rest of the story kinda made up for it. Because even if it was wrong, his reasons were a little valid. Anyways I loved them!!
November 18, 2025
It was such a cute story. I feel like if I went to Uni myself, I wish I experienced this life also.... haha 🥹
But honestly the main story was nice, the anonymous chatting was okay until it weren't imo it was kinda weird that they liked each other and they were still texting well "each other" but u know.. I feel like they've could've find out sooner about each other. Cuz Austin was straight up talking to both of them. And having feelings for both.
Also he was kind of a man whore too , but still he was adorable. He kinda reminded me of Isiah from Play Along by Liz Tomforde. lol
I liked the fmc, she was giving him shit early on, but overall fell for his charms. I feel like she just wanted to be seen. ( I relate)
But honestly the main story was nice, the anonymous chatting was okay until it weren't imo it was kinda weird that they liked each other and they were still texting well "each other" but u know.. I feel like they've could've find out sooner about each other. Cuz Austin was straight up talking to both of them. And having feelings for both.
Also he was kind of a man whore too , but still he was adorable. He kinda reminded me of Isiah from Play Along by Liz Tomforde. lol
I liked the fmc, she was giving him shit early on, but overall fell for his charms. I feel like she just wanted to be seen. ( I relate)
September 27, 2025
I absolutely adored this one! To be fair, I've loved everything I've read from Stephanie Alves, but especially this one!
Maisie and Austin are so freaking cute, and they kept making me giggle and kick my feet. Austin is such a man down bad, and who wouldn't love their college famous boyfriend standing on a table and announcing to everyone that he's officially taken? And Maisie is so encouraging, anytime Austin gets town on himself, she's right there ready to tell him how smart he is and much he deserves everything!
I can't wait to see who's next at Colton U, and I can't wait to read it once we find out!
Maisie and Austin are so freaking cute, and they kept making me giggle and kick my feet. Austin is such a man down bad, and who wouldn't love their college famous boyfriend standing on a table and announcing to everyone that he's officially taken? And Maisie is so encouraging, anytime Austin gets town on himself, she's right there ready to tell him how smart he is and much he deserves everything!
I can't wait to see who's next at Colton U, and I can't wait to read it once we find out!
October 13, 2025
Thank you to Love notes PR for the ARC!
Maisie is on the figure skating team, and keeps to herself. Austin is a hockey player who needs tutoring to get back on the hockey team.
As they spend time with each other Maisie starts to feel like she belongs, and Austin starts to feel like he is more than just a hockey player.
They supported each other really well, and this does a great job of representing people who feel like they don't belong- and showing that you just haven't found your people yet.
I enjoyed this, and it reminded me of Unloved by Peyton Corinne.
Tropes:
slow burn
mental health rep
hockey player x figure skater
she tutors him
reformed playboy
Maisie is on the figure skating team, and keeps to herself. Austin is a hockey player who needs tutoring to get back on the hockey team.
As they spend time with each other Maisie starts to feel like she belongs, and Austin starts to feel like he is more than just a hockey player.
They supported each other really well, and this does a great job of representing people who feel like they don't belong- and showing that you just haven't found your people yet.
I enjoyed this, and it reminded me of Unloved by Peyton Corinne.
Tropes:
slow burn
mental health rep
hockey player x figure skater
she tutors him
reformed playboy
October 18, 2025
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy of The Playmaker and i can honestly say this book is so good! I still can’t get over how good it was. I still think about this book even after I finished reading !
This is the second book in her series, I have not read the first one but after finishing this book I immediately needed more and added the rule breaker (book 1) to my TBR library.
I loved the hockey team and the sense of found family. I loved meeting each player and hope to get to read their stories as well. They were so funny they had me smiling and giggling the whole time!
Loved how the book tacked serious issues like parent neglect/abandonment, body insecurity and learning disabilities but also had its sweet moments and funny moments as well.
I completely fell in love with both Maisie and Austin! Both were so cute and had their own insecurities but both found someone who saw them and never judged them. They found each other and got to fall in love with each other not once but twice.
Such a good read!! Highly recommend
5 stars
This is the second book in her series, I have not read the first one but after finishing this book I immediately needed more and added the rule breaker (book 1) to my TBR library.
I loved the hockey team and the sense of found family. I loved meeting each player and hope to get to read their stories as well. They were so funny they had me smiling and giggling the whole time!
Loved how the book tacked serious issues like parent neglect/abandonment, body insecurity and learning disabilities but also had its sweet moments and funny moments as well.
I completely fell in love with both Maisie and Austin! Both were so cute and had their own insecurities but both found someone who saw them and never judged them. They found each other and got to fall in love with each other not once but twice.
Such a good read!! Highly recommend
5 stars
November 25, 2025
Okay the writing is improving. The dynamic between the two characters was so electric. So jealous. The whole arc had me swinging my feet in the air. It was a cute story. There was some depth. I will say the repetition with some of the topics had me like, “okay we get it”, I wanted more of an introspection thought to these issues. I wanted them to piece it together not magically get there. I think it was heading there but I think the author spent too long on the large moments to get to the juice of the story. I still enjoyed this.
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